Upcoming community events announced

SHELOCTA — A benefit spaghetti dinner for the medical expenses of Dennis Buterbaugh will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Lutheran Church, 205 Gastown Road, Shelocta.

The price is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 3 to 10 and free for ages 2 and under. Takeouts are available.

Candlelight service

A candlelight service celebrating “The Birthday of the King” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Crete Presbyterian Church, 25 Brady Road, Indiana.

June Weber, music director for 25 years, will direct the senior and junior choirs, trumpets, cello and violin. Randy Stear is the Bible storyteller. The pastor is the Rev. Katie Ward Stear. A festive reception will follow.

All are welcome. For more information, call (724) 463-3920.

Hudak to perform

There will be Christmas music with local musician Nick Hudak at 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Indiana. There is no charge for admission. A free will offering will be taken.

Christmas cantata

A Christmas cantata will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at Pine Grove Church of God, Route 240 between Uniontown and Cookport.

Come and help celebrate the birth of our savior. Please bring a nonperishable food item to donate.

Christmas musical

HOMER CITY — A Christmas musical, “His Name is Jesus,” will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Homer City Church of Nazarene. The musical is arranged by Mosie Lister. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will follow in the church fellowship hall. For more information, call (724) 479-9640.

Live Nativities

CLYMER — All are invited to a live Nativity from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 22 on the lawn of the Clymer Alliance Church, 690 Franklin St., Clymer.

Live music will accompany the costumed characters. All visitors are also welcome to warm up inside with a hot drink and snacks. Plan on sharing this portrayal of the first Christmas with your family.

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BLAIRSVILLE — The Blairsville First United Methodist Church, 50 S. Walnut St., Blairsville, will be offering a live Nativity from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. The live Nativity will include lambs, a donkey and a presentation of the Christmas story with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and the three wise men.

Parking is available at the back of the church.

A Christmas pageant

A Christmas pageant will be presented at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Kenwood Church of the Nazarene.

“His Birth — A Path to Calvary” will unfold the scriptures through readings, music and living Christmas scenes. Everyone is invited to attend.

This year’s program will be “Christmas Around the World.” Among the countries to be visited are Israel — Bethlehem, the manger scene and the temple scene of the dedication of baby Jesus — Belgium, Switzerland, Greece and Australia.

There will also be special music, and the Morning Star Ministries dance team will be performing, including the children’s dance team.

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a relaxing evening at this very busy time of year.

You will be blessed.

A candlelight communion Christmas Eve service will take place Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. All denominations are invited to join with us at this very special holy time of the year as we celebrate the reason for Christ’s birth.

Cantata

The Trinity Chancel Choir will present their Christmas cantata, “Bethlehem’s Child,” written by Lloyd Larson and Victor Johnson, at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 22 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Indiana. The writers have endeavored to bring new meaning to the Christmas story by experiencing it through a musical tapestry of old and new music.

Christmas recording

Pastor James McCaulley has completed a Christmas album, “Behold the Wonder,” recorded at the North Recording Studio with Jake Snyder as recording engineer. Musical background is provided by the North Recording Studio Band, with background vocals by Tina Marie, Jake Snyder and Pastor McCaulley.

The title song portrays Jesus Christ as the Wonder of Christmas. Other songs on the recording include “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night” and “New Star Shining.” Other recordings by Pastor McCaulley also available are “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter” (songs about heaven), “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (recorded in memory of his son, Sgt. 1st Class Randy McCaulley, who was killed in Iraq), “The Old Country Church” (old-time favorites) and “Partners In Emotion” (recorded in memory of his wife, Donna).

For more information, prices and how to obtain recordings, Pastor Jim can be reached at Bible Baptist Church, 6280 Route 286 East, Indiana, at (724)349-3557 or (724) 422-1324.

Mission trip to Holy Land

A unique mission trip to the Holy Land, led by Jan Ogden, of Indiana, will take place April 27 to May 9, 2014.

Visit the land where Jesus lived, walked and was crucified. The journey incorporates volunteering and serving the people who live in the Holy Land while also visiting holy sites.

The trip is sponsored by the United Methodist Church USA. People of all faiths are invited. For more information, email jco23@hotmail.com or call (724) 388-5569.